IMDB | Amazon
113 min – Action | Mystery | Sci-Fi
September 19, 2014 (USA)
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee and Will Poulter
Based on: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Synopsis (via Fandango):
Based on the bestselling novel by James Dashner, this adventure thriller for young adults follows a young boy named Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who finds himself trapped within a giant, deadly maze with a group of other kids. While he has no memories of his life prior to being in the maze, he is plagued by nightmares about a shadowy organization known only as W.C.K.D., and hopes that these fragments of dreams will help him discover the secrets of his past and a way to escape.
Full confession: It has been two and a half years since I read this book. I absolutely did not have time to reread it. (Nor, in truth, did I have the desire.) I remembered the major plot points, and shockingly, most of the characters. I think this may actually be one of the few book-to-movie adaptations in which the movie is actually better than the book. Now, before you get your tomatoes out to chuck at me, I did like the book. But the action and the imagery of the book just show better on a big screen than me trying to formulate this idea of a maze in my head. (Because in my head, it kind of looked like the corn maze at the local pumpkin patch, even with descriptions telling me otherwise.)
What I Liked:
- The casting (mostly). First of all, I loved the guy who played Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster). I was thinking that I needed him in every movie I went to, from now until forever. Then I felt creepy, because he is supposed to be a teenager! But I looked him up, and he is 24 so we’re just fine. He had this perfect blend of seriousness and comedic relief, with charm thrown in. And I also loved Minho (Ki Hong Lee), Alby (Aml Ameen), who were both easy on the eyes, and Chuck (Blake Cooper). I thought Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) was perfect, but that there simply wasn’t enough of her in the movie. I suppose she will be more prominent in the next one.
- The action. Seriously, this movie was non-stop! I mean, I knew how it turned out, but I was still gripping the armrests with anxiety! The maze was creepy, as it should have been, and the Grievers were awful of course. The whole thing was very tension-building, especially since I already knew the outcome and still was excited.
- The camaraderie. The movie did a great job at showing the boys’ relationships and interactions, though we didn’t get much on Thomas and Teresa at all.
- Thomas. Okay, this is a biggie. I didn’t hate Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), I just didn’t care about him. At all. First, he seemed really old. Most of the other Gladers were even older than him in real life (a few pushing 30!) but they pulled it off. He just seemed like someone’s weird uncle sent in to chaperone. He had his redeeming moments (like running into the maze for Minho and Alby, and his scenes with Chuck were good too), but in general, the believability just wasn’t there for me. I don’t even think it is the acting, he just flat out doesn’t have the looks or mannerisms of a sixteen year old.
- Look, no movie is ever going to be exactly like the book. And there were certainly changes in the movie, changes that were kind of big. But they were, in my opinion, kind of necessary to make it into a film. Sure, some things were simplified, but who really wants to watch endless scenes of mapmaking and such? I think the changes were made to make the movie more watchable while still maintaining the integrity of the book, and I didn’t have issues. A die-hard fan may have been more discerning, but it worked for me.
- Yes, the Mockingjay Part 1 trailer is why I forced my mom to get there early. It is more amazing on the big screen than my little laptop for sure! Here’s an excuse to watch it again 😉
I haven’t seen the movie yet, will probably have to wait until it leaves the theatre ’cause I can’t go right now what with my health. But I am so excited for this! I loved the entire trilogy (the prequel was eh) and I can’t wait to finally see this baby.
Aw, I am sorry about your health situation. It’ll definitely be fun to watch at home though! I still haven’t read the prequel, though I do own it. I was going to read it before seeing the movie, but I ran out of time- maybe for the sequel 😉 Hope you get to see it soon and that you love it!
So I read the book when it first came out(because I was already a fan of the authors MG series) and I loved the first book, unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the second or third book nearly as much, which is why I haven’t seen the movie yet!
However it sounds way too good to skip seeing! I can’t believe you didn’t like Dylan O’Brien! He’s like the only reason I want to see the movie! But I totally understand that it may seem awkward with him playing a sixteen year old, however I am in love with him and therefore biased. =)
Hahha he wasn’t a bad actor, he just isn’t believable as 16. Which isn’t his fault. But it… confused me lol. I can see the appeal though. It’s like how I would see absolutely any movie with Josh Hutcherson- like, I will gladly pay $18 to sit in a theater watching him watch paint dry or something 😉
I actually REALLY liked the second book, but not the third so much.
I haven’t heard of either of the actors you mention play major parts in the movie, but I loved the book so I’m definitely going to see the movie 🙂 Thanks for such an in-depth review!
Katelynn
http://www.literarychameleon.blogspot.com
I don’t know a lot of them too. I know that Thomas is Dylan O’Brien, who plays in Teen Wolf and The Internship. Newt is the kid from Love Actually, and there’s also that dude who plays Eustace in one of the Narnia movies. That’s as far as my knowledge goes 😀
Thanks 🙂 I hadn’t heard of any of them before either! But they really did a GREAT job, in my opinion. It’s always so hit or miss with younger, mostly unknown actors, but they were really good!
Haha, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who does that, I know what something supposed to look like but it just never matches it in my head, I’m not the best of imagery when it comes to descriptions. I haven’t actually read the books yet (I bought it last week to read before I see it) but it’s better than the book? *hides tomatoes* Nah, I actually kind of like it when it’s better than the book (though it doesn’t happen often, granted.) I MUST RESIST WATCHING THE MOCKINGJAY TRAILER. MUST. Okay, I’m leaving before I watch it… 😉
YES! I am the same way, I just don’t “get” imagery! And it is SO rare when I think a movie is better than the book (this may be the first time ever, actually!) but this book was just kind of meant to be a movie- it is so action filled!
Sorry about Mockingjay, I couldn’t resist an excuse 😉
I haven’t seen the movie yet (prob waiting until dvd) but I did read the book. I really liked it, but I had a feeling the movie might be better, because the characters weren’t the book’s strong suit. I’m glad that you liked it. Now I can’t wait to see it! Also, I do the same thing when I think an actor playing a teen is cute! haha! (I’m so glad they’re usually not really teenager.)
YAY! Someone who shares in my confused and conflicting feelings about cute non-teenagers 😉 And yes- that’s the thing, the book was very action-oriented, so it makes for a good movie! I hope you like it when you see it!
Oh good! I was going to go see The Maze Runner. I haven’t read it yet but I don’t think I will. I’m going through a reading slump e_e I can’t believe Mockingjay is coming out already! The time just flew. Great post!
Aw thanks! You really don’t have to read it to understand the movie. And, I didn’t like the book enough to think it would help you out of your reading slump 😉 I am SO excited for Mockingjay, less than two months!!!